The News - NHL

[dan2x38]

Well Jeff Carter & Mike Richards got traded and a big name followed of course Ilya Bryzgalov - http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/stars/post/_/id/11075/afternoon-of-big-nhl-trades-cap-news. Some big names and big money moved around today!

Will the Sens do well or screw it up Saturday in the draft?

[NanoSF]

I'm hoping for Sean Couturier. Was previously tagged as the number one pick. Didn't really do anything to lose that title, just old news and not as exciting as some of the others. But he was by far the best undrafted player with the junior team. Just a calm do all the right things good Canadian kid.

[dan2x38]

Not as a good a draft as previous 2 years but some great players have come out of the so called "No Name Drafts" like Pavel Datsyuk, Jonathan Ericsson, Kevin Bieksa, Jaroslav Halak to name a few. I think there are always great late picks ya just have to have a good scouting system.

[mseguin]

I don't know what the Flyers were thinking, I can see one of the 2 getting traded, but both of them? And signing Bryzgalov for 9 years? Have they not learned their lesson about these contracts that take players into their 40's?

I'm hoping for Landeskog, although that won't happen unless they trade up. Huberdeau would also be nice, as would Couturier although I'm not sold on him. With their later pick, I wouldn't mind seeing Thomas Jurco, the kid has some crazy skills. Don't really think they can go all that wrong, 6 picks in the top 66, that should be at least 2 or 3 solid NHLers.

[dan2x38]

Sens need to secure another solid future blueliner. That should be one of their number one spots next to goalie. I am not sold on Anderson. When he falls apart he falls apart plus he has had his fair share of injures.

My Habs need to get some size and blue line health!

[mseguin]

Sens have Rundbland, Cowen, and Karlsson for the future, with Wiercoch as a potential 4-6 d-man. They coould always draft 1 or 2 with their later 1st or 2nd round picks, but where they lack is in top-fleet offensive prospects. They've got lots of 2nd and 3rd line prospects, but need a top-line player. As for goalie, Lehner seems to be rounding into form nicely.
It'll be interesting to see what Vancouver does with Schneider, they kinda shot themselves in the foot with that contract to Luongo, way too long and too much cap hit.

[dan2x38]

11 years for Luongo is insane. Not sure when this trend will end but teams will learn - many have already learned the hard way with these long term deals.

I would like to see Schneider get a starting job and think he will there are plenty of teams who need starters.

I am still not sold on Ottawa's Dee? They do need punch up front with Alferdson aging and longer injures each season. Spezza can't be the main guy even if they struggle without him. They can look to free agency for a scoring forward. They have cap room now after the house cleaning.

[dan2x38]

Sens with 6th pick take big centre with a scoring touch Mika Zibanejad from Swedan Elite league. Their trying to trade up if they don't they pick again 21st.

<edited> Winnipeg announced the long awaited name - "Jets"  Awesome so glad they stayed with it!!!  Couturier slipped to 8th and Phillie in their trade yesterday moved to 8th they took him no hesitation - nice pick.

[mseguin]

Not a bad pick, a good center to replace Fisher (minus the injuries), and moving up to pick twice more in the first round was nice, both guys have put up good points, all in all, Spezza got some support. I'd really like to see us get Thomas Jurco in the second round, the kid has crazy skills.
I'm surprised the Jets didn't take Couturier, a big scoring center would have been perfect for them.

[NanoSF]

Still think the sens missed a great one in Couturier. The guy is a very solid defensive center. +65 last year leading his league and still scored near the top in points. Then this year had mono missed a bunch of the season and still had +55 and the highest points per game in his league. A defensive gem and still a ton of scoring. They pass on that to get a guy who hardly plays since he is in a mens league.

[mseguin]

Yeah not sure what's gonna happen with Couturier, but all the scouts like Mika, be great if he winds up being a 60 pt scorer who's a nightmare to play against.
Love the trade for Filatov, lose a 3rd rd pick for a guy who has the potential to be a game breaker. Even if he only winds up being a 20 goal scorer, that's a cheap price.

[NanoSF]

Ya I agree with Filatov. It always seems to be the case that a team that drafts a guy high feels like they are a bust easily. But if that same team drafted them lower they would accept the slow development as an expected occurrence. So the Sens value on the guy is now 3rd round rather than early first round. Expectation lower equals good chance at reasonable acceptable success. Hey, and if he meets his first round potential eventually then total steal.

[dan2x38]

Ryan Smyth headed back to Oil country. Will be in tears when he leaves the Kings?

[mseguin]

I think it will be a while before the Flyers are a top flight team again. Talbot and Jagr don't cover up for losing Richards and Carter.

[bt]

Ottawa signed Alex Auld, 1 year, $1m.

[dan2x38]

Habs let Auld go but pick up Peter Budaj. Some interesting signings today. I think Phillie got hit the worst and did the worst - really 'Jagr?" Habs lost another defensmen and a good one, 'James Wisniewski'. They did resign Markov earlier in the week. Sheldon Souray makes it back to the bigs for the Stars. Did find it odd that Brian Boucher was signed so quick and by Carolina? I am surprised by quite a few of the goalie signings. The big question is still out there to me - 'Cory Schneider' isn't he an UFA now? Where will he play next season? 

[bt]

I am surprised by quite a few of the goalie signings.

Like Colorado?  Looks like they've continued their strong goalie sense from the Elliott-Anderson trade.

[dan2x38]

The Avs are in trouble - who is their backup or who is their starter for that matter in goal? I doubt they'll make the post season next year either.

[mseguin]

I'm shocked by some of the money thrown out there, 5.5 mil for Wisniewski? 3 mil/year for Joel Ward? Really? Even Sean Bergenheim got a big raise for one decent playoff showing.
I don't think Colorado was betting on making the playoffs this year. Varlamov seems like a decent goalie, he should do ok in Colorado.

[dan2x38]

I don't think Colorado was betting on making the playoffs this year. Varlamov seems like a decent goalie, he should do ok in Colorado.

Agreed he can play well but he is big time injury prone... then the Avs have no back up... I think they are in trouble.